UK medicines policy: the role of clinical pharmacologists

Clinical pharmacologists are the only medical specialists whose training focuses specifically on the safe, effective and cost-effective use of medicines, underpinned by an understanding of drug discovery, drug regulation, pharmacology, translational medicine and the performance of clinical trials. This unique perspective has allowed them to provide expertise and leadership in medicines regulation, medicines policy, health technology assessment and drug pricing. Clinical pharmacologists assisted in the creation of the Committee on Safety of Medicines (now the Commission on Human Medicines), the Yellow Card Scheme, the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and related organizations in Scotland and Wales, and contributed to clinical guidelines (through the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) and the British National Formulary. Their research work has contributed substantially, through translational medicine and therapeutics, to the development of new medicines and, as a result, creation of health and wealth in the UK. Their work in medicines policy has served to protect patients from harms associated with the use of medicines. A reduction in the number of able junior doctors attracted to a career in clinical pharmacology, a reduction in the number of training posts, and an ageing population of academic trainers, puts the future of the specialty, and its contribution to patient safety and UK wealth creation, at substantial risk. Urgent measures are needed to convince the NHS and government that these essential skills should be protected and nurtured.